President of Syria facts for kids
Quick facts for kids President of the Syrian Arab Republic |
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| Executive branch of the Syrian Government | |
| Style |
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| Member of |
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| Residence | Presidential Palace |
| Seat | Damascus |
| Constituting instrument | 2025 Interim Constitution of Syria |
| Formation | 29 June 1922 |
| First holder |
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| Deputy | Vice President |
The President of Syria is the leader of the country. This person is officially called the President of the Syrian Arab Republic. The president acts as the head of state and head of government for Syria. They lead the executive branch of the government. The president is also the top commander of the Syrian Army and Armed Forces. They represent Syria to other countries and sign agreements with them.
The first president of the Syrian Federation was Subhi Barakat in 1922. This was during a time when France had control over Syria. After Syria gained its independence, Shukri al-Quwatli became its first president. Syria's leadership changed many times over the years. This included periods of military takeovers.
From 1971 to 2024, the Assad family ruled Syria. Hafez al-Assad became president in 1971. After he passed away in 2000, his son Bashar al-Assad took over. Bashar al-Assad was president until his government fell in December 2024.
A new temporary set of rules, called the 2025 Interim Constitution of Syria, started in March 2025. This constitution says that the president holds the main power. The president can make decisions and issue orders for the country. The official home of the president is the Presidential Palace in Damascus.
Currently, Ahmed al-Sharaa is the president. He took on this role on January 29, 2025, during a time of change for Syria.
Contents
History of Syria's Presidents
Early Leaders Under French Rule
In 1922, when France was in charge, the Syrian Federation was formed. Subhi Barakat was its first president. This federation did not last long. It was replaced by the State of Syria in 1925. Barakat resigned after the Great Syrian Revolt began that year. Ahmad Nami then became president until 1928.
By 1930, a new constitution was created. It said the president had to be a Muslim. The Syrian parliament would elect the president.
Presidents After Independence
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French troops left Syria in 1946. After this, Syria approved the Syrian Constitution of 1950. This constitution kept a system where parliament elected the president. Syria saw many changes in its leadership during these years. There were military takeovers, like the one by Husni al-Za'im in March 1949. Later, Adib Shishakli also took power in 1951.
In 1958, Syria joined with Egypt to form the United Arab Republic. Gamal Nasser, who was Egypt's president, also became Syria's president. This union lasted for three years. In 1961, Syria became independent again. It went back to using the 1950 constitution.
Ba'ath Party Rule (1963–2024)
In 1963, the Ba'ath Party took control. They suspended the old constitution. They also declared a state of emergency that lasted for many years. New temporary constitutions were put in place in 1964 and 1969.
The Assad Family's Time in Power (1971–2024)
On January 31, 1973, Hafez al-Assad introduced a new constitution. This caused protests because it did not say the president had to be a Muslim. People wanted Islam to be the state religion. So, the constitution was changed to say that the president must be a Muslim.
Hafez al-Assad wanted his son, Bassel al-Assad, to take over after him. But Bassel passed away in a car accident in 1994. After this, Hafez's other son, Bashar al-Assad, was prepared to become the next leader.
When Hafez al-Assad passed away on June 10, 2000, the constitution was changed again. The minimum age to be president was lowered from 40 to 34. This was Bashar's age at the time. Bashar al-Assad became president on July 17, 2000. He also became the top commander of the Syrian Armed Forces. During his rule, state media often called him the "Young Leader" and "Hope of the People."
A new constitution was approved in February 2012. Elections were held every seven years. Bashar al-Assad won these elections with many votes. However, many people outside Syria saw these elections as unfair. The last two elections in 2014 and 2021 happened during the Syrian civil war. They were only held in areas controlled by the government. The United Nations criticized these elections.
The 2012 constitution stopped being used after the fall of the Assad regime on December 8, 2024. It was officially replaced on January 29, 2025.
Syria After Ba'ath Party Rule (2024–Present)
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After the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, the position of president was empty. A temporary government managed the country. Ahmed al-Sharaa was the main leader during this time. On January 29, 2025, al-Sharaa was officially named president for a temporary period. He announced plans for a "constitutional declaration" to guide the country.
On March 13, 2025, al-Sharaa signed an interim constitution. This new constitution will be used for five years. It says that Islamic law is a main source of rules. It also promises to protect the rights of all groups in Syria. This interim constitution creates a presidential system. The president has executive power and appoints ministers. There is no longer a prime minister.
On March 29, 2025, the new Syrian transitional government was announced. This happened at the Presidential Palace in Damascus. New ministers took their oaths and shared their plans. This new government replaced the temporary one.
What the President Does
President's Responsibilities
Under the 2025 Interim Constitution of Syria, the President of Syria is the commander-in-chief of the Syrian Army and Armed Forces. The president is in charge of:
- Running the country's government.
- Keeping the country's borders and safety strong.
- Protecting what is best for the people.
The president has the power to:
- Choose, remove, or accept the resignations of ministers.
- Make rules and decisions that follow the law.
- Represent Syria to other countries. They also sign agreements with foreign nations.
- Announce a general call for people to join the military or declare war. This needs approval from the National Security Council.
- Give special pardons to people.
- Appoint and remove ambassadors to other countries. They also welcome foreign ambassadors to Syria.
- Suggest new laws. They can also sign laws approved by the People's Assembly. The president can also stop a law (veto) within one month. If the People's Assembly passes a vetoed law again with a two-thirds vote, the president must make it a law.
If there is a big threat to the country's unity or safety, the president can:
- Declare a state of emergency. This can be for up to three months. It needs approval from the National Security Council. The president also needs to talk with the speaker of the People's Assembly and the head of the Constitutional Court.
- Extend the state of emergency only if the People's Assembly approves it.
How a President is Chosen
Presidential Election
A presidential election in Syria is planned to happen within five years. This will be after the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024. Until then, a transitional government is leading the country. President Ahmed al-Sharaa is in charge of this government.
Religion Requirement
Article 3 of the constitution says: "The religion of the President of the Republic is Islam. Islamic law is the main source for making laws."
Taking the Oath
The Interim Constitution describes the promise the president must make. This promise is taken in front of the People's Assembly.
I swear by Almighty God to faithfully preserve the sovereignty of the State, the unity of the country, the integrity of its territories, and the independence of its decision, and to defend them, and to respect the law, protect the interests of the people, and strive with all sincerity and honesty to secure a decent life for them, achieve justice among them, and consolidate noble values and virtuous morals.
President's Official Home
The Presidential Palace is where the President of Syria officially lives and works. It is in the western part of Damascus, on Mount Mezzeh. The palace area is very large and has security walls. Inside, many rooms are decorated with Carrara marble. The temporary government started using the palace for meetings with other countries.
Before this new palace was built, the Tishreen Palace was the main home for the Assad family. On December 8, 2024, when the fall of the Assad regime happened, forces against the Assad government took control of the palace. After the government fell, many people entered and explored the palace.
What Happens if the President's Role is Empty
Article 34 of the Interim Constitution explains what happens if the president's position becomes empty. It says: "If the presidency becomes vacant, the Vice President will take on the president's duties."
See also
In Spanish: Presidente de Siria para niños
- List of heads of state of Syria
- List of Presidents of Syria
- List of Syrian monarchs
